Working hard for Royston, all year round
Royston Liberal Democrats – Town Council Manifesto 2026
We are delighted to present a positive plan for Royston.
Only the Liberal Democrats have a constructive and achievable plan for improving our town: boosting the local economy, enhancing the local environment, supporting community groups and getting a fair deal for Royston at District and County councils.
The Conservatives and Royston Town Party, who have run the Town Council since 2022, have done nothing for the town. Under Labour's leadership of North Herts, they have ended Free After 3 parking in the town. We have been and continue to work hard to set Royston on an upward trajectory, to revitalise our town and make it better for people of all ages.
Boosting the local economy
We developed a detailed proposal to turn the Town Hall into a venue for films, theatre and community events.
1. Revitalise the Town Hall as a multi-arts community hub, which supports a diverse range of arts and cultural activity – including film screenings.
2. Support a free parking subsidy in December, to encourage people to shop locally following the loss of free after 3.
3. Look to develop a town-wide voucher scheme, in partnership with local businesses, to encourage more people to shop locally and spend time in the town centre.
4. Organise more events, support local business forums, and assist the Market Manager to diversify footfall and support local traders.
Enhancing the local environment
We are working to create a new “green loop”, better bus services and a bridge over the A505.
1. Create a “Royston Green Loop” around the edge of town to encourage walking, healthy activity and local tourism.
2. Work with Herts County Council to deliver more frequent bus services, and to connect new estates on the edge of town with the town centre.
3. Push for improved pedestrian and cycle routes - including a bridge over the A505 and a cycle lane along Melbourn Road.
4. Invest in council buildings to make them more environmentally friendly.
5. Organise a swift box scheme, to make it easier for residents to install swift boxes in their homes.
Supporting local community groups
We will create a “Youth Activities Fund”, to support groups providing activities for children and young people.
1. Create a “Youth Activities Fund”, to support groups providing activities for children and young people.
2. Make it easier for local groups to access existing community grants.
3. Work with local volunteering organisations to establish a local volunteer hub, supporting local events and matching volunteers with local projects, such as the new junior park run.
4. Explore setting up a “Teen Council”, giving teenagers a greater say over what goes on in the town.
Getting a fair deal for Royston
We will continue to work with local health providers to deliver the new facilities the town desperately needs – just like we have done with the banking hub.
1. Ensure new housing developments reflect local needs, including more allotments, sports pitches, cemetery spaces, and investment in local facilities – whilst continuing to robustly challenge inappropriate schemes, like on Barkway Road.
2. Partner with local health providers to deliver the new facilities the town desperately needs – just like we have done with the banking hub.
3. Ensure the town’s defibrillators are permanently maintained, so that everyone can get urgent help when they need it, wherever they are.
4. Continue our campaign for a new learner pool at Royston Leisure Centre.
